Insecticidal phenyl-or pyridyl-piperdine compounds

ABSTRACT

A compound of formula (I) 
                         
wherein A, p, R 1 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , m, R 7 , n and R 8  are as defined in claim  1.  
 
     Furthermore, the present invention relates to intermediates used to prepare compounds of formula (I), to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests and to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising them.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/948,419, filed Jul. 23, 2013, which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/055,204, filed Jan. 21, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,518,971 issued Aug. 27, 2013, which is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/058482 filed Jul. 6, 2009, which claims priority to GB 0813436.3 filed Jul. 22, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to certain piperidine derivatives, to intermediates used to prepare them, to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests and to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising them.

Piperidine derivatives with insecticidal properties are disclosed, for example, in WO 2006/003494.

It has now surprisingly been found that certain piperidine derivatives have enhanced insecticidal properties.

The present invention therefore provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein

-   A is CR² or N; -   p is 0 or 1; -   R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents     each independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₃alkyl or     C₁-C₃haloalkyl; -   R² is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₃haloalkyl or C₁-C₃haloalkoxy; -   R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₈alkyl,     C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₈alkoxy, C₁-C₈haloalkoxy, C₁-C₈alkylthio or     C₁-C₈haloalkylthio; -   R⁵ is hydrogen or halogen; -   each R⁶ and R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl,     C₁-C₈alkoxy or C₁-C₈haloalkoxy; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; and -   R⁸ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl,     C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl,     C₁-C₈alkoxy or C₁-C₈haloalkoxy; or a salt thereof.

The compounds of formula (I) may exist in different geometric or optical isomers or tautomeric forms. This invention covers all such isomers and tautomers and mixtures thereof in all proportions as well as isotopic forms such as deuterated compounds.

Each alkyl moiety either alone or as part of a larger group (such as alkoxy or alkylthio) is a straight or branched chain and is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl or tert-butyl. The alkyl groups are preferably C₁-C₆, more preferably C₁-C₄ and most preferably C₁-C₃ alkyl groups.

Alkenyl and alkynyl moieties can be in the form of straight or branched chains, and the alkenyl moieties, where appropriate, can be of either the (E)- or (Z)-configuration. Examples are vinyl, allyl and propargyl. The alkenyl and alkynyl groups are preferably C₂-C₆, more preferably C₂-C₄ and most preferably C₂-C₃ alkenyl or alkynyl groups.

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Haloalkyl groups (either alone or as part of a larger group, such as haloalkoxy or haloalkylthio) are alkyl groups which are substituted with one or more of the same or different halogen atoms and are, for example, —CF₃, —CF₂Cl, —CH₂CF₃ or —CH₂CHF₂.

Haloalkenyl groups are alkenyl groups which are substituted with one or more of the same or different halogen atoms and are, for example, —CH═CF₂ or —CCl═CClF.

Cycloalkyl groups can be in mono- or bi-cyclic form and may optionally be substituted by one or more methyl groups. The cycloalkyl groups preferably contain 3 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of monocyclic cycloalkyl groups are cyclopropyl, 1-methyl-cyclopropyl, 2-methyl-cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

Halocycloalkyl groups are cycloalkyl groups which are substituted with one or more of the same of different halogen atoms and may optionally be substituted by one or more methyl groups. Examples of monocyclic halocycloalkyl groups are 2,2-dichloro-cyclopropyl, 2,2-dichloro-1-methyl-cyclopropyl and 2-chloro-4-fluoro-cyclohexyl.

Salts comprise a charged version of a compound of formula (I) and a counter ion of the opposite charge. The compounds of formula (I) can have a positive charge, for example, on the nitrogen atom in the piperidine ring, if the nitrogen atom is quarternised by protonation with an organic or inorganic acid. Suitable organic acids include butylsulfonic acid, 2-chloro-benzoic acid, ethylsufonic acid, 3-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, 3-phenoxy-propionic acid, tridecanoic acid and trifluoroacetic acid. Suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.

N-oxides are compounds of formula (I) where a nitrogen atom has been oxidised. In particular, N-oxides are compounds of formula (I) where the nitrogen atom in the piperidine ring has been oxidised. Oxidising agents which can convert a compound of formula (I) into the N-oxide of formula (I) include aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

Preferred groups and values for R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ in any combination thereof are set out below.

Preferably R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, difluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl; more preferably R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from fluoro, chloro or methyl; most preferably R¹ is pyrid-4-yl substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from fluoro or chloro. It is preferred that one substituent occupies the 2-position of the pyrid-4-yl ring and that optionally a second substituent occupies the 5- or 6-position of the pyrid-4-yl ring. Examples of most preferred R¹ groups include 2-fluoro-pyrid-4-yl, 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl, 2,5-dichloro-pyrid-4-yl, and 2,6-dichloro-pyrid-4-yl.

Preferably R² is hydrogen or halogen.

More preferably R² is hydrogen, fluoro or chloro.

Even more preferably R² is hydrogen or fluoro.

Most preferably R² is hydrogen.

Preferably R³ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.

More preferably R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, methyl, iso-propyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, heptafluoro-iso-propyl, vinyl, cyclopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy or trifluoromethylthio.

Even more preferably R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, heptafluoro-iso-propyl, vinyl, cyclopropyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy or 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy.

Yet even more preferably R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, cyclopropyl or trifluoromethoxy.

Most preferably R³ is trifluoromethyl.

Preferably R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.

More preferably R⁴ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, iso-propyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, heptafluoro-iso-propyl, vinyl, cyclopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy or 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy.

Even more preferably R⁴ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl or trifluoromethyl.

Most preferably R⁴ is hydrogen.

Preferably R⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro or bromo.

More preferably R⁵ is hydrogen or fluoro.

Most preferably R⁵ is hydrogen.

Preferably each R⁶ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.

More preferably each R⁶ is independently fluoro, chloro, methyl or methoxy.

Most preferably each R⁶ is independently fluoro or chloro.

Preferably m is 0 or 1.

Most preferably m is 0.

Preferably each R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.

More preferably each R⁷ is independently fluoro, chloro, methyl or methoxy.

Most preferably each R⁷ is independently fluoro or chloro.

Preferably n is 0 or 1.

Most preferably n is 0.

Preferably R⁸ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy.

More preferably R⁸ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, methyl, trifluoromethyl, cyclopropyl, ethynyl, methoxy or trifluoromethoxy.

Even more preferably R⁸ is fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy.

Yet even more preferably R⁸ is fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl.

Most preferably R⁸ is fluoro.

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ia) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and

R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is C—H, and m, n, and p are 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ib) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is C—H, m and n are 0, and p is 1. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ic) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is N, and m, n and p are 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Id) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is N, m and n are 0, and p is 1. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ie) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is C—F, and m, n, and p are 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (If) wherein A, R¹, R³, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), R⁴ and R⁵ are H, and p is 0, provided that at least one of m or n is not 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I), except that at least one of m and n is not 0.

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ig) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I) and A is C—F, m and n are 0, and p is 1. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are compounds of formula (Ih) wherein A, R¹, R³, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), R⁴ and R⁵ are H, and p is 1, provided that at least one of m or n is not 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I), except that at least one of m and n is not 0.

A preferred embodiment are salts of formula (Ij) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), A is C—H, m and n are 0, p is 1, and HX is selected from 2-chlorobenzoic acid, ethane sulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, 3-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid, (4-methylphenyl) sulfonic acid, 3-phenoxy-propionic acid, phosphoric acid, tridecanoic acid, trifluoroacetic acid. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are salts of formula (Ik) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), HX is defined as for a compound of formula (Ij), A is N, m and n are 0, and p is 1. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

A preferred embodiment are salts of formula (Im) wherein R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), HX is defined as for a compound of formula (Ij), A is N, and m, n and p are 0. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁸ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

Certain intermediates are novel and as such form a further aspect of the invention. One such group of intermediates are compounds of formula (II)

wherein R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as for a compound of formula (I). The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I).

Another group of intermediates are compounds of formula (III)

wherein R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as for a compound of formula (I); and R¹¹ is C₁-C₆alkyl, such as tert-butyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, such as allyl, or benzyl optionally substituted with one to three substituents independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy or C₁-C₆haloalkoxy. The preferences for R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I). R¹¹ is preferably tert-butyl.

Another group of intermediates are compounds of formula (IV)

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as for a compound of formula (I), or R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen and R⁴ is fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; and R¹¹ is defined as for a compound of formula (III). The preferences for R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I). The preference for R¹¹ is the same as set out for a compound of formula (III).

Another group of intermediates are compounds of formula (V)

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as for a compound of formula (I), or R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen and R⁴ is fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; and R¹¹ is defined as for a compound of formula (III). The preferences for R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I). The preference for R¹¹ is the same as set out for a compound of formula (M).

Another group of intermediates are compounds of formula (VI)

wherein R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as for a compound of formula (I); and R¹¹ is as defined for a compound of formula (III). The preferences for R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same as set out for a compound of formula (I). The preference for R¹¹ is the same as set out for a compound of formula (III).

The compounds of the invention may be made by a variety of methods as mentioned in WO 2006/003494. For example, compounds of formula (I) may be prepared according to Schemes 1, 2 and 3.

Thus a compound of formula (1) wherein A, R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), may be obtained from a compound of formula (2) wherein A, R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are as defined for a compound of formula (I), by reaction with a compound of formula (3) wherein R⁶, m, R⁷, n and R⁸ is as defined for a compound of formula (I) and X is a leaving group, such as a halide (e.g. chloride, bromide or iodide) or a sulfonate (e.g. mesylate or tosylate), in the presence of a base, such as a tertiary amine (e.g. diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine), in an organic solvent, such as dichloromethane, acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide, at a temperature of between 0° C. and 100° C., typically at ambient temperature, as shown in Scheme 1.

Alternatively, a compound of formula (1) as defined above, may be obtained from a compound of formula (2) as defined above, by reaction with an aldehyde of formula (4) wherein R⁸ is as defined for a compound of formula (I) in the presence of a reducing agent, such as sodium (triacetoxy)borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or borane or the like, in an organic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, methanol or ethanol, at a temperature of between 0° C. and 100° C., typically at ambient temperature, as shown in Scheme 2.

Compounds of formula (2) can be prepared as described in WO 2006/003494. Examples of these methods can be found in the preparation examples.

Compounds of formula (3) and (4) are either known compounds or may be prepared by methods known to a person skilled in the art. Examples of these methods can be found in the preparation examples.

N-oxides of formula (5) may be prepared by oxidation of a compound of formula (1) with an oxidising agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or 3-chloro-peroxybenzoic acid, in an organic solvent, such as dichloromethane, ethanol, methanol or water or mixtures of solvents, at a temperature of between −78° C. and 100° C., typically at ambient temperature, as shown in Scheme 3.

The compound of formula (I) have enhanced pesticidal properties. For example, the compounds may have increased insecticidal activity and/or improved photostability.

The compounds of formula (I) can be used to combat and control infestations of insect pests such as Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera, Dictyoptera, Coleoptera, Siphonaptera, Hymenoptera and Isoptera and also other invertebrate pests, for example, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests. Insects, acarines, nematodes and molluscs are hereinafter collectively referred to as pests. The pests which may be combated and controlled by the use of the invention compounds include those pests associated with agriculture (which term includes the growing of crops for food and fiber products), horticulture and animal husbandry, companion animals, forestry and the storage of products of vegetable origin (such as fruit, grain and timber); those pests associated with the damage of man-made structures and the transmission of diseases of man and animals; and also nuisance pests (such as flies).

Examples of pest species which may be controlled by the compounds of formula (I) include: Myzus persicae (aphid), Aphis gossypii (aphid), Aphis fabae (aphid), Lygus spp. (capsids), Dysdercus spp. (capsids), Nilaparvata lugens (planthopper), Nephotettixc incticeps (leafhopper), Nezara spp. (stinkbugs), Euschistus spp. (stinkbugs), Leptocorisa spp. (stinkbugs), Frankliniella occidentalis (thrip), Thrips spp. (thrips), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), Anthonomus grandis (boll weevil), Aonidiella spp. (scale insects), Trialeurodes spp. (white flies), Bemisia tabaci (white fly), Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer), Spodoptera littoralis (cotton leafworm), Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm), Sylepta derogata (cotton leaf roller), Pieris brassicae (white butterfly), Plutella xylostella (diamond back moth), Agrotis spp. (cutworms), Chilo suppressalis (rice stem borer), Locusta migratoria (locust), Chortiocetes terminifera (locust), Diabrotica spp. (rootworms), Panonychus ulmi (European red mite), Panonychus citri (citrus red mite), Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite), Tetranychus cinnabarinus (carmine spider mite), Phyllocoptruta oleivora (citrus rust mite), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (broad mite), Brevipalpus spp. (flat mites), Boophilus microplus (cattle tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea), Liriomyza spp. (leafminer), Musca domestica (housefly), Aedes aegypti (mosquito), Anopheles spp. (mosquitoes), Culex spp. (mosquitoes), Lucillia spp. (blowflies), Blattella germanica (cockroach), Periplaneta americana (cockroach), Blatta orientalis (cockroach), termites of the Mastotermitidae (for example Mastotermes spp.), the Kalotermitidae (for example Neotermes spp.), the Rhinotermitidae (for example Coptotermes formosanus, Reticulitermes flavipes, R. speratu, R. virginicus, R. hesperus, and R. santonensis) and the Termitidae (for example Globitermes sulfureus), Solenopsis geminata (fire ant), Monomorium pharaonic (pharaoh's ant), Damalinia spp. and Linognathus spp. (biting and sucking lice), Meloidogyne spp. (root knot nematodes), Globodera spp. and Heterodera spp. (cyst nematodes), Pratylenchus spp. (lesion nematodes), Rhodopholus spp. (banana burrowing nematodes), Tylenchulus spp. (citrus nematodes), Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), Caenorhabditis elegans (vinegar eelworm), Trichostrongylus spp. (gastro intestinal nematodes) and Deroceras reticulatum (slug).

The invention therefore provides a method of combating and controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs which comprises applying an insecticidally, acaricidally, nematicidally or molluscicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a composition containing a compound of formula (I), to a pest, a locus of pest, preferably a plant, or to a plant susceptible to attack by a pest. The compounds of formula (I) are preferably used against insects, acarines or nematodes.

The term “plant” as used herein includes seedlings, bushes and trees.

Crops are to be understood as also including those crops which have been rendered tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides (e.g. ALS-, GS-, EPSPS-, PPO- and HPPD-inhibitors) by conventional methods of breeding or by genetic engineering. An example of a crop that has been rendered tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox, by conventional methods of breeding is Clearfield® summer rape (canola). Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides by genetic engineering methods include e.g. glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady® and LibertyLink®.

Crops are also to be understood as being those which have been rendered resistant to harmful insects by genetic engineering methods, for example Bt maize (resistant to European corn borer), Bt cotton (resistant to cotton boll weevil) and also Bt potatoes (resistant to Colorado beetle). Examples of Bt maize are the Bt 176 maize hybrids of NK® (Syngenta Seeds). Examples of transgenic plants comprising one or more genes that code for an insecticidal resistance and express one or more toxins are KnockOut® (maize), Yield Gard® (maize), NuCOTIN33B® (cotton), Bollgard® (cotton), NewLeaf® (potatoes), NatureGard® and Protexcta®.

Plant crops or seed material thereof can be both resistant to herbicides and, at the same time, resistant to insect feeding (“stacked” transgenic events). For example, seed can have the ability to express an insecticidal Cry3 protein while at the same time being tolerant to glyphosate.

Crops are also to be understood as being those which are obtained by conventional methods of breeding or genetic engineering and contain so-called output traits (e.g. improved storage stability, higher nutritional value and improved flavor).

In order to apply a compound of formula (I) as an insecticide, acaricide, nematicide or molluscicide to a pest, a locus of pest, or to a plant susceptible to attack by a pest, a compound of formula (I) is usually formulated into a composition which includes, in addition to the compound of formula (I), a suitable inert diluent or carrier and, optionally, a surface active agent (SFA). SFAs are chemicals which are able to modify the properties of an interface (for example, liquid/solid, liquid/air or liquid/liquid interfaces) by lowering the interfacial tension and thereby leading to changes in other properties (for example dispersion, emulsification and wetting). It is preferred that all compositions (both solid and liquid formulations) comprise, by weight, 0.0001 to 95%, more preferably 1 to 85%, for example 5 to 60%, of a compound of formula (I). The composition is generally used for the control of pests such that a compound of formula (I) is applied at a rate of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per hectare, preferably from 1 g to 6 kg per hectare, more preferably from 1 g to 1 kg per hectare.

When used in a seed dressing, a compound of formula (I) is used at a rate of 0.0001 g to 10 g (for example 0.001 g or 0.05 g), preferably 0.005 g to 10 g, more preferably 0.005 g to 4 g, per kilogram of seed.

In another aspect the present invention provides an insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal or molluscicidal composition comprising an insecticidally, acaricidally, nematicidally or molluscicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) and a suitable carrier or diluent therefor. The composition is preferably an insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal or molluscicidal composition.

In a still further aspect the invention provides a method of combating and controlling pests at a locus which comprises treating the pests or the locus of the pests with an insecticidally, acaricidally, nematicidally or molluscicidally effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). The compounds of formula (I) are preferably used against insects, acarines or nematodes.

The compositions can be chosen from a number of formulation types, including dustable powders (DP), soluble powders (SP), water soluble granules (SG), water dispersible granules (WG), wettable powders (WP), granules (GR) (slow or fast release), soluble concentrates (SL), oil miscible liquids (OL), ultra low volume liquids (UL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), dispersible concentrates (DC), emulsions (both oil in water (EW) and water in oil (EO)), micro-emulsions (ME), suspension concentrates (SC), aerosols, fogging/smoke formulations, capsule suspensions (CS) and seed treatment formulations. The formulation type chosen in any instance will depend upon the particular purpose envisaged and the physical, chemical and biological properties of the compound of formula (I).

Dustable powders (DP) may be prepared by mixing a compound of formula (I) with one or more solid diluents (for example natural clays, kaolin, pyrophyllite, bentonite, alumina, montmorillonite, kieselguhr, chalk, diatomaceous earths, calcium phosphates, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sulfur, lime, flours, talc and other organic and inorganic solid carriers) and mechanically grinding the mixture to a fine powder.

Soluble powders (SP) may be prepared by mixing a compound of formula (I) with one or more water-soluble inorganic salts (such as sodium hydrogencarbonate, sodium carbonate or magnesium sulfate) or one or more water-soluble organic solids (such as a polysaccharide) and, optionally, one or more wetting agents, one or more dispersing agents or a mixture of said agents to improve water dispersibility/solubility. The mixture is then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions may also be granulated to form water soluble granules (SG).

Wettable powders (WP) may be prepared by mixing a compound of formula (I) with one or more solid diluents or carriers, one or more wetting agents and, preferably, one or more dispersing agents and, optionally, one or more suspending agents to facilitate the dispersion in liquids. The mixture is then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions may also be granulated to form water dispersible granules (WG).

Granules (GR) may be formed either by granulating a mixture of a compound of formula (I) and one or more powdered solid diluents or carriers, or from pre-formed blank granules by absorbing a compound of formula (I) (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) in a porous granular material (such as pumice, attapulgite clays, fuller's earth, kieselguhr, diatomaceous earths or ground corn cobs) or by adsorbing a compound of formula (I) (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) on to a hard core material (such as sands, silicates, mineral carbonates, sulfates or phosphates) and drying if necessary. Agents which are commonly used to aid absorption or adsorption include solvents (such as aliphatic and aromatic petroleum solvents, alcohols, ethers, ketones and esters) and sticking agents (such as polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, dextrins, sugars and vegetable oils). One or more other additives may also be included in granules (for example an emulsifying agent, wetting agent or dispersing agent).

Dispersible Concentrates (DC) may be prepared by dissolving a compound of formula (I) in water or an organic solvent, such as a ketone, alcohol or glycol ether. These solutions may contain a surface active agent (for example to improve water dilution or prevent crystallization in a spray tank).

Emulsifiable concentrates (EC) or oil-in-water emulsions (EW) may be prepared by dissolving a compound of formula (I) in an organic solvent (optionally containing one or more wetting agents, one or more emulsifying agents or a mixture of said agents). Suitable organic solvents for use in ECs include aromatic hydrocarbons (such as alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes, exemplified by SOLVESSO 100, SOLVESSO 150 and SOLVESSO 200; SOLVESSO is a Registered Trade Mark), ketones (such as cyclohexanone or methylcyclohexanone) and alcohols (such as benzyl alcohol, furfuryl alcohol or butanol), N-alkylpyrrolidones (such as N-methylpyrrolidone or N-octylpyrrolidone), dimethyl amides of fatty acids (such as C₈-C₁₀ fatty acid dimethylamide) and chlorinated hydrocarbons. An EC product may spontaneously emulsify on addition to water, to produce an emulsion with sufficient stability to allow spray application through appropriate equipment. Preparation of an EW involves obtaining a compound of formula (I) either as a liquid (if it is not a liquid at ambient temperature, it may be melted at a reasonable temperature, typically below 70° C.) or in solution (by dissolving it in an appropriate solvent) and then emulsifiying the resultant liquid or solution into water containing one or more SFAs, under high shear, to produce an emulsion. Suitable solvents for use in EWs include vegetable oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons (such as chlorobenzenes), aromatic solvents (such as alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes) and other appropriate organic solvents which have a low solubility in water.

Microemulsions (ME) may be prepared by mixing water with a blend of one or more solvents with one or more SFAs, to produce spontaneously a thermodynamically stable isotropic liquid formulation. A compound of formula (I) is present initially in either the water or the solvent/SFA blend. Suitable solvents for use in MEs include those hereinbefore described for use in EC₈ or in EWs. An ME may be either an oil-in-water or a water-in-oil system (which system is present may be determined by conductivity measurements) and may be suitable for mixing water-soluble and oil-soluble pesticides in the same formulation. An ME is suitable for dilution into water, either remaining as a microemulsion or forming a conventional oil-in-water emulsion.

Suspension concentrates (SC) may comprise aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions of finely divided insoluble solid particles of a compound of formula (I). SC₈ may be prepared by ball or bead milling the solid compound of formula (I) in a suitable medium, optionally with one or more dispersing agents, to produce a fine particle suspension of the compound. One or more wetting agents may be included in the composition and a suspending agent may be included to reduce the rate at which the particles settle. Alternatively, a compound of formula (I) may be dry milled and added to water, containing agents hereinbefore described, to produce the desired end product.

Aerosol formulations comprise a compound of formula (I) and a suitable propellant (for example n-butane). A compound of formula (I) may also be dissolved or dispersed in a suitable medium (for example water or a water miscible liquid, such as n-propanol) to provide compositions for use in non-pressurized, hand-actuated spray pumps.

A compound of formula (I) may be mixed in the dry state with a pyrotechnic mixture to form a composition suitable for generating, in an enclosed space, a smoke containing the compound.

Capsule suspensions (CS) may be prepared in a manner similar to the preparation of EW formulations but with an additional polymerization stage such that an aqueous dispersion of oil droplets is obtained, in which each oil droplet is encapsulated by a polymeric shell and contains a compound of formula (I) and, optionally, a carrier or diluent therefor. The polymeric shell may be produced by either an interfacial polycondensation reaction or by a coacervation procedure. The compositions may provide for controlled release of the compound of formula (I) and they may be used for seed treatment. A compound of formula (I) may also be formulated in a biodegradable polymeric matrix to provide a slow, controlled release of the compound.

A composition may include one or more additives to improve the biological performance of the composition (for example by improving wetting, retention or distribution on surfaces; resistance to rain on treated surfaces; or uptake or mobility of a compound of formula (I)). Such additives include surface active agents, spray additives based on oils, for example certain mineral oils or natural plant oils (such as soy bean and rape seed oil), and blends of these with other bio-enhancing adjuvants (ingredients which may aid or modify the action of a compound of formula (I)).

A compound of formula (I) may also be formulated for use as a seed treatment, for example as a powder composition, including a powder for dry seed treatment (DS), a water soluble powder (SS) or a water dispersible powder for slurry treatment (WS), or as a liquid composition, including a flowable concentrate (FS), a solution (LS) or a capsule suspension (CS). The preparations of DS, SS, WS, FS and LS compositions are very similar to those of, respectively, DP, SP, WP, SC and DC compositions described above. Compositions for treating seed may include an agent for assisting the adhesion of the composition to the seed (for example a mineral oil or a film-forming barrier).

Wetting agents, dispersing agents and emulsifying agents may be surface SFAs of the cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic type.

Suitable SFAs of the cationic type include quaternary ammonium compounds (for example cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide), imidazolines and amine salts.

Suitable anionic SFAs include alkali metals salts of fatty acids, salts of aliphatic monoesters of sulfuric acid (for example sodium lauryl sulfate), salts of sulfonated aromatic compounds (for example sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butylnaphthalene sulfonate and mixtures of sodium di-isopropyl- and tri-isopropyl-naphthalene sulfonates), ether sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates (for example sodium laureth-3-sulfate), ether carboxylates (for example sodium laureth-3-carboxylate), phosphate esters (products from the reaction between one or more fatty alcohols and phosphoric acid (predominately mono-esters) or phosphorus pentoxide (predominately di-esters), for example the reaction between lauryl alcohol and tetraphosphoric acid; additionally these products may be ethoxylated), sulfosuccinamates, paraffin or olefine sulfonates, taurates and lignosulfonates.

Suitable SFAs of the amphoteric type include betaines, propionates and glycinates.

Suitable SFAs of the non-ionic type include condensation products of alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof, with fatty alcohols (such as oleyl alcohol or cetyl alcohol) or with alkylphenols (such as octylphenol, nonylphenol or octylcresol); partial esters derived from long chain fatty acids or hexitol anhydrides; condensation products of said partial esters with ethylene oxide; block polymers (comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide); alkanolamides; simple esters (for example fatty acid polyethylene glycol esters); amine oxides (for example lauryl dimethyl amine oxide); and lecithins.

Suitable suspending agents include hydrophilic colloids (such as polysaccharides, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and swelling clays (such as bentonite or attapulgite).

A compound of formula (I) may be applied by any of the known means of applying pesticidal compounds. For example, it may be applied, formulated or unformulated, to the pests or to a locus of the pests (such as a habitat of the pests, or a growing plant liable to infestation by the pests) or to any part of the plant, including the foliage, stems, branches or roots, to the seed before it is planted or to other media in which plants are growing or are to be planted (such as soil surrounding the roots, the soil generally, paddy water or hydroponic culture systems), directly or it may be sprayed on, dusted on, applied by dipping, applied as a cream or paste formulation, applied as a vapor or applied through distribution or incorporation of a composition (such as a granular composition or a composition packed in a water-soluble bag) in soil or an aqueous environment.

A compound of formula (I) may also be injected into plants or sprayed onto vegetation using electrodynamic spraying techniques or other low volume methods, or applied by land or aerial irrigation systems.

Compositions for use as aqueous preparations (aqueous solutions or dispersions) are generally supplied in the form of a concentrate containing a high proportion of the active ingredient, the concentrate being added to water before use. These concentrates, which may include DC₈, SC₈, EC₈, EWs, MEs SGs, SPs, WPs, WGs and CSs, are often required to withstand storage for prolonged periods and, after such storage, to be capable of addition to water to form aqueous preparations which remain homogeneous for a sufficient time to enable them to be applied by conventional spray equipment. Such aqueous preparations may contain varying amounts of a compound of formula (I) (for example 0.0001 to 10%, by weight) depending upon the purpose for which they are to be used.

A compound of formula (I) may be used in mixtures with fertilizers (for example nitrogen-, potassium- or phosphorus-containing fertilizers). Suitable formulation types include granules of fertilizer. The mixtures suitably contain up to 25% by weight of the compound of formula (I).

The invention therefore also provides a fertilizer composition comprising a fertilizer and a compound of formula (I).

The compositions of this invention may contain other compounds having biological activity, for example micronutrients or compounds having fungicidal activity or which possess plant growth regulating, herbicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity.

The compound of formula (I) may be the sole active ingredient of the composition or it may be admixed with one or more additional active ingredients such as a pesticide, fungicide, synergist, herbicide or plant growth regulator where appropriate. An additional active ingredient may: provide a composition having a broader spectrum of activity or increased persistence at a locus; synergize the activity or complement the activity (for example by increasing the speed of effect or overcoming repellency) of the compound of formula (I); or help to overcome or prevent the development of resistance to individual components. The particular additional active ingredient will depend upon the intended utility of the composition. Examples of suitable pesticides include the following:

-   a) Pyrethroids, such as permethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate,     esfenvalerate, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin (in particular     lambda-cyhalothrin), bifenthrin, fenpropathrin, cyfluthrin,     tefluthrin, fish safe pyrethroids (for example ethofenprox), natural     pyrethrin, tetramethrin, s-bioallethrin, fenfluthrin, prallethrin or     5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-(E)-(1R,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-oxothiolan-3-ylidenemethyl)cyclopropane     carboxylate; -   b) Organophosphates, such as, profenofos, sulprofos, acephate,     methyl parathion, azinphos-methyl, demeton-s-methyl, heptenophos,     thiometon, fenamiphos, monocrotophos, profenofos, triazophos,     methamidophos, dimethoate, phosphamidon, malathion, chlorpyrifos,     phosalone, terbufos, fensulfothion, fonofos, phorate, phoxim,     pirimiphos-methyl, pirimiphos-ethyl, fenitrothion, fosthiazate or     diazinon; -   c) Carbamates (including aryl carbamates), such as pirimicarb,     triazamate, cloethocarb, carbofuran, furathiocarb, ethiofencarb,     aldicarb, thiofurox, carbosulfan, bendiocarb, fenobucarb, propoxur,     methomyl or oxamyl; -   d) Benzoyl ureas, such as diflubenzuron, triflumuron, hexaflumuron,     flufenoxuron or chlorfluazuron; -   e) Organic tin compounds, such as cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide or     azocyclotin; -   f) Pyrazoles, such as tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate; -   g) Macrolides, such as avermectins or milbemycins, for example     abamectin, emamectin benzoate, ivermectin, milbemycin, or spinosad,     spinetoram or azadirachtin; -   h) Hormones or pheromones; -   i) Organochlorine compounds such as endosulfan, benzene     hexachloride, DDT, chlordane or dieldrin; -   j) Amidines, such as chlordimeform or amitraz; -   k) Fumigant agents, such as chloropicrin, dichloropropane, methyl     bromide or metam; -   l) Neonicotinoid compounds such as imidacloprid, thiacloprid,     acetamiprid, clothianidin, nitenpyram, dinotefuran or thiamethoxam; -   m) Diacylhydrazines, such as tebufenozide, chromafenozide or     methoxyfenozide; -   n) Diphenyl ethers, such as diofenolan or pyriproxifen; -   o) Indoxacarb; -   p) Chlorfenapyr; -   q) Pymetrozine or pyrifluquinazon; -   r) Spirotetramat, spirodiclofen or spiromesifen; -   s) Flubendiamide, chloranthraliniprole, or cyanthraniliprole; -   t) Cyenopyrafen or cyflumetofen; or -   u) Sulfoxaflor.

In addition to the major chemical classes of pesticide listed above, other pesticides having particular targets may be employed in the composition, if appropriate for the intended utility of the composition. For instance, selective insecticides for particular crops, for example stemborer specific insecticides (such as cartap) or hopper specific insecticides (such as buprofezin) for use in rice may be employed. Alternatively insecticides or acaricides specific for particular insect species/stages may also be included in the compositions (for example acaricidal ovo-larvicides, such as clofentezine, flubenzimine, hexythiazox or tetradifon; acaricidal motilicides, such as dicofol or propargite; acaricides, such as bromopropylate or chlorobenzilate; or growth regulators, such as hydramethylnon, cyromazine, methoprene, chlorfluazuron or diflubenzuron).

Examples of fungicidal compounds which may be included in the composition of the invention are (E)-N-methyl-2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]-2-methoxy-iminoacetamide (SSF-129), 4-bromo-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole-1-sulfonamide, α-[N-(3-chloro-2,6-xylyl)-2-methoxyacetamido]-γ-butyrolactone, 4-chloro-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-5-p-tolylimidazole-1-sulfonamide (IKF-916, cyamidazosulfamid), 3-5-dichloro-N-(3-chloro-1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-4-methylbenzamide (RH-7281, zoxamide), N-allyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-trimethylsilylthiophene-3-carboxamide (MON65500), N-(1-cyano-1,2-dimethylpropyl)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionamide (AC382042), N-(2-methoxy-5-pyridyl)-cyclopropane carboxamide, acibenzolar (CGA245704), alanycarb, aldimorph, anilazine, azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benomyl, biloxazol, bitertanol, blasticidin S, bromuconazole, bupirimate, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carbendazim chlorhydrate, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, CGA41396, CGA41397, chinomethionate, chlorothalonil, chlorozolinate, clozylacon, copper containing compounds such as copper oxychloride, copper oxyquinolate, copper sulfate, copper tallate and Bordeaux mixture, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, debacarb, di-2-pyridyl disulfide 1,1′-dioxide, dichlofluanid, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, difenzoquat, diflumetorim, O,O-di-iso-propyl-S-benzyl thiophosphate, dimefluazole, dimetconazole, dimethomorph, dimethirimol, diniconazole, dinocap, dithianon, dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dodemorph, dodine, doguadine, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, ethirimol, ethyl(Z)—N-benzyl-N([methyl(methyl-thioethylideneaminooxycarbonyl)amino]thio)-β-alaninate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone (RPA407213), fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid (KBR2738), fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, fluoroimide, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, guazatine, hexaconazole, hydroxyisoxazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine triacetate, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb (SZX0722), isopropanyl butyl carbamate, isoprothiolane, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, LY186054, LY211795, LY248908, mancozeb, maneb, mefenoxam, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, metconazole, metiram, metiram-zinc, metominostrobin, myclobutanil, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace, organomercury compounds, oxadixyl, oxasulfuron, oxolinic acid, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phenazin oxide, phosetyl-A1, phosphorus acids, phthalide, picoxystrobin (ZA1963), polyoxin D, polyram, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, propionic acid, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, pyroxyfur, pyrrolnitrin, quaternary ammonium compounds, quinomethionate, quinoxyfen, quintozene, sipconazole (F-155), sodium pentachlorophenate, spiroxamine, streptomycin, sulfur, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamid, 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, timibenconazole, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin (CGA279202), triforine, triflumizole, triticonazole, validamycin A, vapam, vinclozolin, zineb and ziram.

The compounds of formula (I) may be mixed with soil, peat or other rooting media for the protection of plants against seed-borne, soil-borne or foliar fungal diseases.

Examples of suitable synergists for use in the compositions include piperonyl butoxide, sesamex, safroxan and dodecyl imidazole.

Suitable herbicides and plant-growth regulators for inclusion in the compositions will depend upon the intended target and the effect required.

An example of a rice selective herbicide which may be included is propanil. An example of a plant growth regulator for use in cotton is PIX™.

Some mixtures may comprise active ingredients which have significantly different physical, chemical or biological properties such that they do not easily lend themselves to the same conventional formulation type. In these circumstances other formulation types may be prepared. For example, where one active ingredient is a water insoluble solid and the other a water insoluble liquid, it may nevertheless be possible to disperse each active ingredient in the same continuous aqueous phase by dispersing the solid active ingredient as a suspension (using a preparation analogous to that of an SC) but dispersing the liquid active ingredient as an emulsion (using a preparation analogous to that of an EW). The resultant composition is a suspoemulsion (SE) formulation.

The invention is illustrated by the following Examples:

LCMS. Spectra were recorded on a ZMD (Micromass, Manchester UK) or a ZQ (Waters Corp. Milford, Mass., USA) mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source (ESI; source temperature 80 to 100° C.; desolvation temperature 200 to 250° C.; cone voltage 30 V; cone gas flow 50 l/hr, desolvation gas flow 400 to 600 l/hr, mass range: 150 to 1000 Da) and an Agilent 1100 HPLC (column: Gemini C18, 3 μm particle size, 110 Angstrom, 30×3 mm (Phenomenex, Torrance, Calif., USA); column temperature: 60° C.; flow rate 1.7 ml/min; eluent A: H₂O/HCOOH 100:0.05; eluent B: MeCN/MeOH/HCOOH 80:20:0.04; gradient: 0 min 5% B; 2-2.8 min 100% B; 2.9-3 min 5% B; UV-detection: 200-500 nm, resolution 2 nm. The flow was split post column prior to MS analysis. RT stands for retention time.

Alternatively, for compounds A25, A26, A27, A28, A27, C27 and C29, LC/MS method (Waters Alliance 2795 LC) with the following HPLC gradient conditions (Solvent A: 0.1% of formic acid in water and Solvent B: 0.1% of formic acid in acetonitrile) was used.

Time (minutes) A (%) B (%) Flow rate (ml/min) 0 80 20 1.7 2.5 0 100 1.7 2.8 0 100 1.7 2.9 80 20 1.7 Type of column: Water atlantis dc18; Column length: 20 mm; Internal diameter of column: 3 mm; Particle Size: 3 micron; Temperature: 40° C.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{4,5-difluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound A3 of Table A).

A mixture of 2-chloro-N-(4,5-difluoro-2-piperidin-4-yl-phenyl)-isonicotinamide (100 mg) (prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in WO 2006/003494), 4-chloromethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl (52.1 mg) (prepared as described in WO 2003/084916), and potassium carbonate (104 mg) in acetonitrile (10 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for 48 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: ethyl acetate+1% methanol) to afford the title compound (100 mg) as a white amorphous solid. MS (ES+) 536/538 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.77 (m, 4H), 2.08 (m, 2H), 2.55 (m, 1H), 3.06 (m, 2H), 3.56 (s, 2H), 7.07-7.73 (m, 13H), 8.60 (d, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 1:

TABLE A Compounds of formula (Ia) (Ia)

Physical Comp state/ HPLC MS No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) A1 2-chloro- H —CH₃ H F solid 1.39 min 514 pyrid-4- yl A2 2-chloro- F F F F solid 1.42 min 554 pyrid-4- yl A3 2-chloro- F F H F solid 1.45 min 536 pyrid-4- yl A4 2-chloro- H —CF₃ H F solid 1.48 min 568 pyrid-4- yl A5 2-chloro- F H H F solid 1.37 min 518 pyrid-4- yl A6 2-chloro- —OCF₃ H H F solid 1.48 min 584 pyrid-4- yl A7 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F solid 1.42 min 568 pyrid-4- yl A8 2-chloro- —OCHF₂ H H F solid 1.48 min 566/568 pyrid-4- yl A9 2-fluoro- —OCHF₂ H H F solid 1.31 min 550 pyrid-4- yl A10 2,6- —CF(CF₃)₂ H H F solid 1.47 min 600/602/ dichloro- 604 pyrid-4- yl A11 2-chloro- H H F solid 1.65 min 668/670 pyrid-4- yl A12 2-chloro- Br —CF₃ H F solid 1.65 min 646/648/ pyrid-4- 650 yl A13 2-chloro- Cl H H F solid 1.39 min 534 pyrid-4- yl A14 2-chloro- Br F H F gum 1.41 min 596/598/ pyrid-4- 600 yl A15 2-chloro- Cl F H F 90- 1.41 min 552/554/ pyrid-4- 92° C. 556 yl A16 2-chloro- H Cl H F solid 1.38 min 534 pyrid-4- yl A17 2-chloro- Cl —CF₃ H F solid 1.50 min 602/604/ pyrid-4- 606 yl A18 2-chloro- Br F Br F solid 1.47 min 674/676/ pyrid-4- 678/680 yl A19 2-chloro- F —CF₃ H F solid 1.45 min 586/588 pyrid-4- yl A20 2-chloro- —CF₃ F H F solid 1.47 min 586/588 pyrid-4- yl A21 2-fluoro- F H H F solid 1.29 min 502 pyrid-4- yl A22 2-bromo- F H H F solid 1.34 min 562 pyrid-4- yl A23 2,6- F H H F solid 1.42 min 552 dichloro- pyrid-4- yl A24 2-chloro- —CH═CH₂ F H F solid 1.42 min 544/546 pyrid-4- yl A25 2-chloro- F H H —CF₃ 1.28 min 568.2 pyrid-4- yl A26 2-chloro- F H H H 1.15 min. 500.2 pyrid-4- yl A27 2-chloro- F H H Cl 1..21 min 534.2 pyrid-4- yl A28 2-chloro- F H H —CH₃ 1.17 min. 514.2 pyrid-4- yl A29 2-chloro- F H H Br 1.25 min. 578.1 pyrid-4- yl A30 2-chloro- cyclo- F H F solid 1.46 min 558/560 pyrid-4- propyl yl A31 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H Cl >250° C. 1.50 min 584/586 pyrid-4- yl A32 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CF₃ 167- 1.54 min 618/620 pyrid-4- 171° C. yl A33 2,6- Br F H F 87-89° C. 1.53 min 630/632/ dichloro- 634/636 pyrid-4- yl A34 2-chloro- —OCF₃ Cl H F 64-68° C. 1.54 min 618/620/ pyrid-4- 622 yl A35 2-chloro- F Cl H F 49-53° C. 1.43 min 552/554 pyrid-4- yl A36 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —OCH₃ 150- 1.44 min 580/582 pyrid-4- 152° C. yl A37 2-chloro- —CF₃ Cl H F 165- 1.52 min 602/604 pyrid-4- 167° C. yl A38 2-chloro- —SCF₃ H H F 59-63° C. 1.52 min 600/602 pyrid-4- yl A39 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 71-73° C. 1.43 min 568/570/ pyrid-4- 572/574 yl A40 2-chloro- —CN F H F 162- 1.36 min 543/545 pyrid-4- 165° C. yl A41 5-chloro- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.43 min 586/588 2-fluoro- pyrid-4- yl A42 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.43 min 586/588 5-fluoro- pyrid-4- yl A43 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CN 97- 1.39 min 575/577 pyrid-4- 98° C. yl A44 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —OCF₃ 80- 1.49 min 634/635/ pyrid-4- 81° C. 636 yl A45 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H Br 80- 1.52 min 628/630 pyrid-4- 81° C. yl A46 2-chloro- H —OCF₃ H F 104- 1.46 min 584/586 pyrid-4- 105° C. yl A47 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —C≡CH 80- 1.48 min 574/576 pyrid-4- 81° C. yl A48 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H — 82- 1.55 min 590/592 pyrid-4- cyclo- 83° C. yl propyl A49 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 1.44 min 610 6-propyl- pyrid-4- yl A50 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 1.37 min 596 6-ethyl- pyrid-4- yl A51 3- —CF₃ H H F 1.18 min 602 trifluoro- methyl- pyrid-4- yl A52 pyrid-4- —CF₃ H H F 1.04 min 534 yl A53 2,5- —CF₃ H H F 212° C. 1.39 min 581 difluoro- pyrid-4- yl

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{4,5-difluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1-oxy-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound B1 of Table B).

A solution of 3-chloro-peroxybenzoic acid (21.6 mg) in dichloromethane (1 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of 2-chloro-N-{4,5-difluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Example 1) (47 mg) in dichloromethane (5 ml) at −40° C. The solution was stirred at −40° C. for 1 hour, then warmed to 0° C. and quenched by addition of aqueous potassium carbonate (10% by weight) (3 ml). The mixture was extracted 3 times with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound as an amorphous solid. MS (ES+) 552/554 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD) 1.80 (m, 2H), 2.40 (m, 2H), 2.93 (m, 1H), 3.23 (m, 2H), 3.48 (m, 2H), 4.44 (s, 2H), 7.18 (t, 2H), 7.28 (dd, 1H), 7.43 (dd, 1H), 7.64 (m, 6H), 7.83 (d, 1H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 8.56 (d, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 2:

TABLE B Compounds of formula (Ib) (Ib)

Physical state/ HPLC MS Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) B1 2-chloro- F F H F solid 1.40 min 552 pyrid-4- yl B2 2-chloro- H —CF₃ H F solid 1.52 min 584 pyrid-4- yl B3 2-chloro- F F F F solid 1.48 min 570 pyrid-4- yl B4 2-chloro- F H H F solid 1.41 min 534 pyrid-4- yl B5 2-chloro- —OCF₃ H H F solid 1.47 min 600 pyrid-4- yl B6 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F solid 1..48 min 584 pyrid-4- yl B7 2-chloro- —OCHF₂ H H F solid 1.41 min 582/584 pyrid-4- yl B8 2-chloro- —OCHF₂ H H F solid 1.38 min 566 pyrid-4- yl B9 2,6- —OCHF₂ H H F solid 1.60 min 616/618/ dichloro- 620 pyrid-4- yl B10 2-chloro- Br —CF₃ H F 192- 1.54 min 662/664/ pyrid-4- 194° C. 666 yl B11 2-chloro- Br F H F 194- 1.48 min 612/614/ pyrid-4- 196° C. 616 yl B12 2-chloro- Cl F H F 183- 1.44 min 568/570/ pyrid-4- 185° C. 572 yl B13 2-chloro- Cl H H F solid 1.42 min 550 pyrid-4- yl B14 2-chloro- Cl —CF₃ H F solid 1.54 min 618/620/ pyrid-4- 622 yl B15 2-chloro- —CF(CF₃)₂ H H F 173- 1.62 min 684/686 pyrid-4- 176° C. yl B16 2-chloro- Br F Br F 197- 1.51 min 690/692/ pyrid-4- 199° C. 694/696 yl B17 2-chloro- F —CF₃ H F 198- 1.49 min 602/604 pyrid-4- 200° C. yl B18 2-chloro- —CF₃ F H F 178- 1.50 min 602/604 pyrid-4- 180° C. yl B19 2-chloro- H Cl H F solid 1.43 min 550 pyrid-4- yl B20 2-chloro- —CH═CH₂ F H F 240- 1.46 min 560/562 pyrid-4- 242° C. yl B21 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CF₃ 170- 1.59 min 634/636 pyrid-4- 172° C. yl B22 2,6- Br F H F 209- 1.57 min 648/650/ dichloro- 213° C. 652 pyrid-4- yl B23 2-chloro- cyclo- F H F 191- 1.50 min 574/576 pyrid-4- propyl 195° C. yl B24 2-chloro- F Cl H F 184- 1.48 min 568/570/ pyrid-4- 187° C. 572 yl B25 2-chloro- —CF₃ Cl H F 187- 1.58 min 618/620/ pyrid-4- 190° C. 622 yl B26 2-chloro- —SCF₃ H H F 144- 1.52 min 616/618 pyrid-4- 147° C. yl B27 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 195- 1.48 min 584/586/ pyrid-4- 197° C. 588/590 yl B28 5-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 173- 1.47 min 602/604 2-fluoro- 175° C. pyrid-4- yl B29 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 184- 1.48 min 602/604 5-fluoro- 186° C. pyrid-4- yl B30 2-chloro- —CN F H F 175- 1.44 min 559/561 pyrid-4- 179° C. yl

EXAMPLE 3

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C1 of Table C).

Step A: A solution of 3-amino-2-chloro-6-trifluoromethyl-pyridine (0.890 g), 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.4 g) (prepared as described in WO 2006/003494) and tetrakis(triphenyl-phosphine)palladium (0.200 g) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (45 ml) was treated with aqueous potassium phosphate (1.1 M) (1.92 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 3 hours. Aqueous workup with ethyl acetate furnished a residue which was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) to give 3-amino-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.5 g) as a white solid. MS (ES+) 288 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.50 (s, 9H), 2.61 (m, 2H), 3.67 (t, 2H), 4.10 (m, 2H), 4.21 (s, 2H), 6.11 (s, 1H), 7.03 (d, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H).

Step B: The compound obtained in Step A (1 g) was dissolved in ethanol (40 ml) and after degassing, palladium on charcoal (10% by weight) (100 mg) was added. Under a hydrogen atmosphere, the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 days.

Filtration on Celite® furnished 3-amino-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1 g) as white solid. MS (ES+) 290/292 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.85 (m, 4H), 2.77 (m, 1H), 2.88 (m, 2H), 3.97 (s, 2H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 6.97 (d, 1H), 7.32 (d, 1H).

Step C: A solution of the compound obtained in Step C (1 g) in toluene (40 ml) was treated with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.05 ml) and then 2-chloro-isonicotinoyl chloride. The 2-chloro-isonicotinoyl chloride was prepared from 2-chloro-isonicotinic acid (0.496 g) and oxalyl chloride (0.346 ml) in dichloromethane (40 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours, poured into aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated), extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) to afford 3-[(2-chloro-pyridine-4-carbonyl)-amino]-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.1 g). MS (ES+) 485/487 (MH+), 429/431 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.47 (s, 9H), 1.79 (m, 2H), 1.96 (m, 2H), 2.88 (m, 2H), 2.95 (m, 1H), 4.25 (m, 2H), 7.61 (d, 1H), 7.66 (m, 1H), 7.79 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 8.32 (d, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H).

Step D: A solution of the compound obtained in Step C (300 mg) in dichloromethane (15 ml) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (1.2 ml) at ambient temperature for 1 hour. Evaporation of the solvent and drying of the solid at high vacuum afforded 2-chloro-N-(6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide trifluoroacetate. The free base was obtained by basic extraction (ethyl acetate, saturated aqueous hydrogen carbonate).

Step E: Method A: A mixture of 2-chloro-N-(6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide (150 mg), 4-chloromethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl (prepared as described in WO 2003/084916) (68 mg) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.21 ml) in acetonitrile (10 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: ethyl acetate) to afford the title compound (79 mg).

Method B: To a mixture of 2-chloro-N-(6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide (3 g) (prepared as described in WO 2006/003494) and 4′-fluoro[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxaldehyde (1.24 g) in tetrahydrofuran (120 ml) was added sodium (triacetoxy)borohydride (2 g) at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched by addition of aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated). The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: ethyl acetate) to afford the title compound as a solid (2.4 g).

2-Chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide: M.p. 63-66° C.; MS (ES+) 569/571 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.80 (m, 2H), 2.18 (m, 4H), 2.79 (m, 1H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 3.59 (s, 2H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 7.39-7.61 (m, 8H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.87 (bs, 1H), 8.45 (d, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H).

EXAMPLE 4

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[6-chloro-5-fluoro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C17 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-N-(6-chloro-5-fluoro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide as described in Step E of Example 3. 2-Chloro-N-(6-chloro-5-fluoro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide was prepared as follows:

Step A: A degassed solution of 2-chloro-5-fluoro-3-amino-pyridine (3.5 g), 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (8.89 g) (prepared as described in WO 2006/003494) and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride (0.84 g) in dioxane (157 ml) was treated with a degassed solution of sodium carbonate (7.6 g) in water (72 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 1 hour, cooled to ambient temperature and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 8:2) afforded 3-amino-5-fluoro-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.6 g) as a solid. MS (ES+) 294 (MH+), 238 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 2.53 (m, 2H), 3.64 (t, 2H), 3.99 (m, 2H), 4.08 (m, 2H), 5.99 (m, 1H), 6.70 (dd, 1H), 7.85 (d, 1H).

Step B: The compound obtained in Step A (4.4 g) was dissolved in ethanol (170 ml). Ammonium formate (9.4 g) and then palladium on charcoal (10% by weight) (1 g) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 90 minutes, filtered through Celite® and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford 3-amino-5-fluoro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.3 g) as a solid. MS (ES+) 296 (MH+), 240 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.77 (m, 4H), 2.69 (m, 1H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 4.23 (m, 4H), 6.67 (dd, 1H), 7.85 (d, 1H).

Step C: A solution of the compound obtained in Step B (3.4 g) and N-chlorosuccinimide (1.72 g) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (35 ml) was stirred at 110° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, poured into water and extracted several times with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were washed with aqueous hydrochloric acid (dilute) and water, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 8:2) afforded 3-amino-5-fluoro-6-chloro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.9 g) as a solid. MS (ES+) 330 (MH+), 274/276 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.47 (s, 9H), 1.77 (m, 4H), 2.64 (m, 1H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 3.78 (m, 2H), 4.25 (m, 2H), 6.76 (d, 1H).

Step D: A solution of the compound obtained in Step C (2 g) in dichloromethane (100 ml) was treated with sodium hydrogen carbonate (5 g) and then 2-chloro-isonicotinoyl chloride. The 2-chloro-isonicotinoyl chloride was prepared from 2-chloro-isonicotinic acid (1.24 g) and oxalyl chloride (0.72 ml) in dichloromethane (100 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours, poured into aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated), extracted with dichloromethane, washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo to afford 6-chloro-3-[(2-chloro-pyridine-4-carbonyl)-amino]-5-fluoro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.2 g). MS (ES+) 369/371 (MH+-BOC).

Step E: A solution of the compound obtained in Step D (366 mg) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (0.6 ml) at ambient temperature for 1 hour 30 minutes. Evaporation of the solvent and precipitation from diethyl ether afforded 2-chloro-N-(6-chloro-5-fluoro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide trifluoroacetate.

EXAMPLE 5

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[5,6-dichloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C2 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-N-(5,6-dichloro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl)-isonicotinamide according to procedures analogous to those described in Example 4 starting from 2,5-dichloro-3-amino-pyridine instead of 2-chloro-5-fluoro-3-amino-pyridine. Step B was replaced by the following procedure:

Step B′: The tetrahydropyridine intermediate obtained in Step A (3 g) was hydrogenated in methanol (350 ml) at 80° C. and 100 bar hydrogen in the presence of 1,1′-bis(di-iso-propyl-phosphino)ferrocene(1,5-cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) tetrafluoroborate (46 mg) for 21 hours to afford 3-amino-5-fluoro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Alternatively, the latter intermediate can be obtained as described in WO 2006/003494 using a Negishi coupling between 2,5-dichloro-3-amino-pyridine and 4-iodo-piperidine 1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

EXAMPLE 6

This example illustrates the preparation of N-[6-bromo-5-fluoro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-2-chloro-isonicotinamide (Compound C5 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in Example 4 replacing N-chlorosuccinimide by N-bromosuccinimide in Step C.

EXAMPLE 7

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[6-chloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C16 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in Example 4 starting from 3-amino-2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine (prepared as described in EP 178260, EP 272824) instead of 2-chloro-5-fluoro-3-amino-pyridine.

Alternatively, the latter intermediate can be obtained directly via a Suzuki coupling using the conditions described in Example 3, between 3-amino-2,6-dichloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine and 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (prepared as described in WO 2006/003494) followed by a homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation as described for Example 5 (Step B′).

The preparation of 3-amino-2,6-dichloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine from 3-amino-2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine was as follows. A solution of 3-amino-2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine (5 g) (prepared as described in EP 178260, EP 272824) and N-chlorosuccinimide (3.7 g) in acetonitrile (125 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 3:1) afforded 3-amino-2,6-dichloro-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine (3.5 g): MS (ES+) 231/233/235 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 4.34 (s, 2H), 7.35 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 8

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[6-bromo-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C15 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in Example 7 replacing N-chlorosuccinimide by N-bromosuccinimide

EXAMPLE 9

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{4,5,6-trichloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C30 of Table C).

The title compound was prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in Example 5 using 2 equivalents of N-chlorosuccinimide in the chlorination step (Step C).

EXAMPLE 10

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-4-fluoro-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C41 of Table C).

Step A: A solution of the compound obtained in Step B of Example 3 (10.35 g) and N-chlorosuccinimide (4.4 g) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (150 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) afforded 3-amino-4-chloro-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (9.6 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 380/382 (MH+), 324/326 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.85 (m, 4H), 2.82 (m, 3H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 4.41 (br s, 2H), 7.46 (s, 1H).

Step B: A solution of the compound obtained in Step A (7.6 g) and trifluoroacetic acid (61.7 ml) in dichloromethane (380 ml) was heated to 55° C. At this temperature, aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight) (23 ml) was slowly added over a period of 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was kept at this temperature for a further 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted several times with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was re-dissolved in dichloromethane (200 ml). Di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (5.4 g) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (14.2 ml) were subsequently added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched with water and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 5:1) afforded 4-chloro-3-nitro-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.9 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 410/412 (MH+), 354/356 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.77 (m, 2H), 1.95 (m, 2H), 2.85 (m, 3H), 4.26 (m, 2H), 7.74 (s, 1H).

Step C: A solution of the compound obtained in Step B (1.2 g) and spray dried potassium fluoride (339 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (57 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 5:1) afforded 4-fluoro-3-nitro-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.7 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 338/339 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.79 (m, 2H), 1.94 (m, 2H), 2.79 (m, 2H), 2.99 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 2H), 7.51 (d, 1H).

Step D: The compound obtained from Step C (1.8 g) was dissolved in ethanol (48 ml) and after degassing, palladium on charcoal (10% by weight) (500 mg) was added. Under a hydrogen atmosphere, the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 day. Filtration on Celite® furnished 3-amino-4-fluoro-6-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.6 g) as a white solid. MS (ES+) 364/365 (MH+), 308/309 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.85 (m, 4H), 2.86 (m, 3H), 3.90 (br s, 2H), 4.25 (m, 2H), 7.22 (d, 1H).

The compound obtained in Step D was then treated according to the procedures described in Example 3 (Step C and Step D) to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE 11

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C31 of Table C).

Step A: To a solution of the intermediate 3-amino-6-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4 g), obtained as described in Example 8 via Suzuki coupling followed by catalytic hydrogenation, in dichloromethane (200 ml), was added trifluoroacetic acid (32 ml). The solution was heated to 55° C. and at this temperature, aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight) (10.5 ml) was slowly added over a period of 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was kept at this temperature for a further 90 minutes before was poured into water and extracted several times with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was re-dissolved in dichloromethane (110 ml). Di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (3.5 g) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (7.6 ml) were subsequently added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with water and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 10:1) afforded 6-chloro-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (3 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 410/412 (MH+), 354/356 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.49 (s, 9H), 1.89 (m, 4H), 2.84 (m, 2H), 3.50 (m, 1H), 4.29 (m, 2H), 8.48 (s, 1H).

Step B: A solution of the compound obtained in Step A (2.5 g) and spray dried potassium fluoride (710 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (120 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 40 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of ice and water and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 5:1) afforded 6-fluoro-3-nitro-5-trifluoromethyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.13 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 338/339 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.90 (m, 4H), 2.84 (m, 2H), 3.53 (m, 1H), 4.29 (m, 2H), 8.57 (d, 1H).

The compound obtained in Step B was then treated according to the procedures described in Example 3 (Step B, Step C and Step D) to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE 12

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-5,6-difluoro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C25 of Table C).

Step A: To a solution of the compound obtained in Step C of Example 4 (5 g) and trifluoroacetic acid (46.5 ml) in chloroform (324 ml) at 50° C. was added dropwise aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight) (15.7 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 55° C. for 1 hour, cooled to ambient temperature and diluted with dichloromethane. The solution was washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to afford the intermediate, 6-chloro-5-fluoro-3-nitro-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl (4 g), as an oil. MS (ES+) 260 (MH+). The intermediate was treated with di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (4 g) and triethylamine (6.3 ml) in dichloromethane (250 ml) for 12 hours to afford, after aqueous work-up, 6-chloro-5-fluoro-3-nitro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.3 g) as a red oil. MS (ES+) 360 (MH+), 345 (M-isoprene+CH₃CN), 305 (M-isoprene), 260 (MH+-BOC).

Step B: The product obtained in Step A (3.3 g), spray dried potassium fluoride (1.06 g) and tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (7.6 g) were dissolved in acetonitrile (23 ml) and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, the white solid removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 9:1) afforded 5,6-difluoro-3-nitro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.85 g): MS (ES+) 329 (M-isoprene+CH₃CN), 288 (M-isoprene), 244 (MH+-BOC); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.80 (m, 4H), 2.79 (m, 1H), 3.43 (m, 2H), 4.22 (m, 2H), 8.13 (t, 1H).

Step C: The product obtained in Step B (694 mg) was hydrogenated at ambient temperature in methanol to afford 3-amino-5,6-difluoro-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (390 mg) as a yellow oil: MS (ES+) 314 (MH+), 258 (M-isoprene); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.75 (m, 4H), 2.70 (m, 1H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 3.90 (m, 2H), 4.23 (m, 2H), 6.90 (t, 1H).

The product obtained in Step C (313 mg) was converted into the title product following procedures analogous to those described in Example 4 (Step D and Step E).

EXAMPLE 13

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-difluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]biphenyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C6 of Table C).

Step A: 6-(Chlorodifluoromethyl)-nicotinonitrile (35.4 g, prepared as described in Tetrahedron Letters, 39 (43), 1998, 7965) was suspended in concentrated hydrochloric acid (245 ml) and stirred at 110° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and a mixture of ice and water was added. The white solid was isolated by filtration and dried in high vacuum to give 6-(chlorodifluoromethyl)-nicotinic acid (36 g). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSOd₆) 3.30 (br s, 1H), 8.00 (dd, 1H), 8.51 (dd, 1H), 9.17 (d, 1H).

Step B: Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a solution of tert-butanol (100 ml), molecular sieve powder (4 angstrom) (23 g) and triethylamine was prepared (9.36 ml). After stirring for 5 minutes at ambient temperature, the compound obtained in Step A (10 g) was added, followed by diphenyl phosphoryl azide (16.3 g). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours and then filtered through Celite®. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted several times with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 5:1) afforded [6-(chlorodifluoromethyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (10.6 g). MS (ES+) 279/281 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.55 (s, 9H), 7.52 (d, 1H), 8.19 (m, 1H), 8.47 (d, 1H).

Step C: The compound obtained in Step B (5.57 g) was dissolved in ethanol (110 ml) and after degassing, palladium on charcoal (10% by weight) (1 g) was added. Under a hydrogen atmosphere, the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 5 hours. Filtration on Celite® furnished (6-difluoromethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (4.8 g) as a foam. MS (ES+) 245/246 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.54 (s, 9H), 7.15 (t, 1H), 7.91 (m, 1H), 9.03 (m, 1H), 9.33 (m, 2H).

Step D: A solution of the compound obtained in Step C (5.9 g) in dichloromethane (80 ml) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (3.7 ml) at ambient temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated) and washed several times with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) afforded 6-difluoromethyl-pyridin-3-yl-amine (2.1 g): 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.98 (br s, 2H), 6.56 (t, 1H), 7.03 (dd, 1H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H).

Step E: A solution of the compound obtained in Step D (2.1 g) and N-bromosuccinimide (2.56 g) in acetonitrile (50 ml) was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) afforded 2-bromo-6-difluoromethyl-pyridin-3-yl-amine (2.5 g) as a solid. MS (ES+) 223/225 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 4.38 (br s, 2H), 6.52 (t, 1H), 7.08 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H).

The compound obtained in Step E was then treated according to the procedures described in Example 4 (Step A, Step B, Step C and Step D) to obtain the title compound.

EXAMPLE 14

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-difluoromethoxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl}-isonicotinamide (Compound C40 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2-bromo-6-difluoromethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine following the procedures described in Example 4. 2-Bromo-6-difluoromethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine was prepared as follows:

Step A: 2-Hydroxy-5-nitro-pyridine (5 g) was treated with sodium chlorodifluoro-acetate (11.5 g) in refluxing acetonitrile (186 ml) for 2 days. The solvent was evaporated, the residue poured into ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) afforded 2-difluoromethoxy-5-nitro-pyridine (1 g, 15%) and 1-difluoromethyl-5-nitro-1H-pyridin-2-one (90 mg, 1.5%). 2-Difluoromethoxy-5-nitro-pyridine: MS (ES+) 191 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 7.05 (d, 1H), 7.51 (t, 1H), 8.53 (dd, 1H), 9.09 (d, 1H). 1-Difluoromethyl-5-nitro-1H-pyridin-2-one: MS (ES+) 191 (MH+); 6.65 (d, 1H), 7.63 (t, 1H), 8.14 (dd, 1H), 8.73 (d, 1H).

Step B: 2-Difluoromethoxy-5-nitro-pyridine obtained in Step A (1.6 g) was treated with iron (5 g) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (0.23 ml) in ethanol (15 ml) and water (2.5 ml) at 80° C. for 20 minutes. Filtration over Celite® and evaporation of the solvent afforded 6-difluoromethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine (1.4 g) as an orange solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.51 (br s, 2H), 6.89 (d, 1H), 7.23 (d, 1H), 7.44 (dd, 1H), 7.80 (d, 1H).

Step C: 6-Difluoromethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine obtained in Step B (1.36 g) was treated with N-bromosuccinimide (1.51 g) in acetonitrile for 10 minutes. The solution was poured into water, extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 7:3) afforded 2-bromo-6-difluoromethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine as a red oil. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.95 (br s, 2H), 6.72 (d, 1H), 7.07 (d, 1H), 7.24 (dd, 1H).

EXAMPLE 15

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[5-chloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C9 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2-bromo-5-chloro-6-trifluoroethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine following the procedures described in Example 5 (without Step C). 2-Bromo-5-chloro-6-trifluoroethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine was prepared as follows:

Step A: A solution of 2,3-dichloro-5-nitro-pyridine (5 g, Synthesis, 1990 (6), 499-501), 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (2.6 g) and potassium carbonate (5.4 g) in N,N-dimethylformamide (50 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into ice water. The precipitate was isolated by filtration and dried under high vacuum to afford 3-chloro-5-nitro-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-pyridine (5.65 g).

Step B: 3-Chloro-5-nitro-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-pyridine (5.39 g) obtained in Step A was reduced with iron (13.6 g) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (0.73 ml) in ethanol (6.5 ml) and water (1 ml) at 80° C. for 1 hour. Filtration over Celite® and evaporation of the solvent followed by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 9:1) afforded 3-chloro-5-amino-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-pyridine (3.1 g).

Step C: 3-Chloro-5-amino-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-pyridine (3.05 g) obtained in Step B was brominated with N-bromosuccinimide (2.4 g) in acetonitrile (68 ml) as described in Example 14, Step C to give 2-bromo-5-chloro-6-trifluoroethoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine (4.12 g) as a red oil. MS (ES+) 305/307/309 (MH⁺); 346/348/350 (MH⁺+CH₃CN); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 3.80 (br s, 2H), 4.65 (q, 2H), 7.10 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 16

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C10 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2-chloro-6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl-amine following the procedures described in Example 3.

EXAMPLE 17

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-vinyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C11 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 3-amino-6-vinyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following the procedures described in Example 3, Step C to Step E. 3-Amino-6-vinyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as follows:

A solution of 3-amino-6-bromo-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.49 g, prepared from 3-amino-2-bromo-pyridine following procedures described in Example 6, Step A to Step C), tributylvinyl tin (0.36 g), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0.035 g) in toluene (20 ml) was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) to afford 3-amino-6-vinyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.32 g) as a yellow solid. MS (ES+) 443/445 (MH⁺); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.40 (s, 9H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 2.75 (m, 2H), 2.80 (m, 1H), 4.15 (m, 2H), 5.4 (d, 1H), 6.2 (d, 1H), 6.7 (dd, 1H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 7.8 (m, 1H), 7.9 (s, 1H), 8.5 (d, 1H).

EXAMPLE 18

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[5-chloro-6-cyclopropyl-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C13 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 3-amino-5-chloro-6-cyclopropyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following the procedures described in Example 3, Step C to Step E. 3-Amino-5-chloro-6-cyclopropyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as follows:

A solution of 3-amino-5-chloro-6-bromo-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.59 g, prepared following procedures described in Example 5 with N-bromosuccinimide instead of N-chlorosuccinimide in Step C), cyclopropyl boronic acid (0.086 g), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0.094 g), potassium carbonate (0.14 g) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (5 ml) and water (0.2 ml) was irradiated in a microwave at 150° C. for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (saturated), water then brine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/ethyl acetate 9:1) to afford 3-amino-5-chloro-6-cyclopropyl-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydro-2′H-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.30 g) as a yellow solid. MS (ES+) 491/493 (MH⁺); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.0-1.1 (m, 4H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.60 (m, 1H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.85 (m, 2H), 2.50 (m, 1H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 4.20 (m, 2H), 7.65 (d, 1H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.9 (m, 1H), 8.60 (d, 1H).

EXAMPLE 19

This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-bromo-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-2-chloro-isonicotinamide (Compound C23 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2,5-dibromo-3-aminopyridine following the procedures described in Example 5, without Step C.

EXAMPLE 20

This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-bromo-6-chloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-2-chloro-isonicotinamide (Compound C24 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2,5-dibromo-3-aminopyridine following the procedures described in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 21

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[6-chloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound C26 of Table C).

The title compound was obtained from 2-bromo-5-methyl-3-aminopyridine following the procedures described in Example 4.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to those described in Examples 3 to 21:

TABLE C Compounds of formula (Ic) (Ic)

Physical Comp state/ HPLC MS No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) C1 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 63- 1.42 min 569/572 pyrid-4- 66° C. yl C2 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 84- 1.46 min 569/571 pyrid-4- 86° C. yl C3 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F solid 1.40 min 553 pyrid-4- yl C4 2,6- —CF₃ H H F solid 1.51 min 603/605/ dichloro- 607 pyrid-4- yl C5 2-chloro- Br F H F 88- 1.41 min 597/599 pyrid-4- 93° C. yl C6 2-chloro- —CHF₂ H H F solid 1.36 min 551/553 pyrid-4- yl C7 2- —CF₃ H H F solid 1.48 min 619/621/ (chloro- 623 difluoro- methyl)- pyrid-4- yl C8 2,6- —CHF₂ H H F solid 1.45 min 585/587/ dichloro- 589 pyrid-4- yl C9 2-chloro- —OCH₂CF₃ Cl H F 82- 1.52 min 633/635 pyrid-4- 86° C. yl C10 2-chloro- —OCH₃ H H F 87- 1.35 min 531 pyrid-4- 90° C. yl C11 2-chloro- —CH═CH₂ H H F 79- 1.36 min 527 pyrid-4- 80° C. yl C12 2-chloro- —CH═CH₂ Cl H F 88- 1.60 min 561/563 pyrid-4- 90° C. yl C13 2-chloro- cyclo- Cl H F 78- 1.63 min 575/577 pyrid-4- propyl 80° C. yl C14 2-chloro- cyclo- H H F solid 1.52 min 541/543 pyrid-4- propyl yl C15 2-chloro- Br —CF₃ H F solid 1.63 min 649/651/ pyrid-4- 653 yl C16 2-chloro- Cl —CF₃ H F solid 1.49 min 603/605/ pyrid-4- 607 yl C17 2-chloro- Cl F H F 84- 1.39 min 553/555 pyrid-4- 93° C. yl C18 2,5- —CF₃ H H F solid 1.47 min 603/605/ dichloro- 607 pyrid-4- yl C19 2-fluoro- Cl Cl H F 91- 1.40 min 553/555 pyrid-4- 95° C. yl C20 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 94- 1.47 min 583/585 6- 98° C. methyl- pyrid-4- yl C21 2-chloro- cyclo- F H F 82- 1.48 min 559/561 pyrid-4- propyl 83° C. yl C22 2-chloro- H cyclo- H F 118- 1.37 min 541/543 pyrid-4- propyl 120° C. yl C23 2-chloro- H Br H F 87- 1.39 min 579/581 pyrid-4- 89° C. yl C24 2-chloro- Cl Br H F 88- 1.47 min 615/617 pyrid-4- 89° C. yl C25 2-chloro- F F H F 71- 1.38 min 537/539 pyrid-4- 73° C. yl C26 2-chloro- Cl —CH₃ H F foam 1.40 min 549/551 pyrid-4- yl C27 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H H 1.29 min. 551.2 pyrid-4- yl C28 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H Cl 70° C. 1.55 min 585/587 pyrid-4- yl C29 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CH₃ 1.32 min. 565.2 pyrid-4- yl C30 2-chloro- Cl Cl Cl F 101- 1.49 min 605/607 pyrid-4- 105° C. yl C31 2-chloro- F —CF₃ H F foam 1.45 min 585/587 pyrid-4- yl C32 2-chloro- Cl Cl H Cl 131- 1.48 min 587/589 pyrid-4- 136° C. yl C33 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CF₃ 131- 1.53 min 619/621 pyrid-4- 133° C. yl C34 2-chloro- Cl Cl H —CF₃ 135- 1.52 min 621/623 pyrid-4- 140° C. yl C35 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —OCH₃ 75- 1.41 min 581/583 pyrid-4- 80° C. yl C36 2- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.50 min 603/604 trifluoro- methyl- pyrid-4- yl C37 2,5- Cl Cl H F 66- 1.53 min 604/606 dichloro- 68° C. pyrid-4- yl C38 5-chloro- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.43 min 587/589 2-fluoro- pyrid-4- yl C39 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.44 min 587/589 5-fluoro- pyrid-4- yl C40 2-chloro- —OCHF₂ H H F 82- 1.49 min 567/569 pyrid-4- 83° C. yl C41 2-chloro- —CF₃ H F F foam 1.45 min 587/589 pyrid-4- yl C42 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —CN 96° C. 1.39 min 576/578 pyrid-4- yl C43 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —OCF₃ 63- 1.56 min 635/637 pyrid-4- 64° C. yl C44 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H Br 69- 1.52 min 629/631 pyrid-4- 70° C. yl C45 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H — 86- 1.54 min 591/593 pyrid-4- cyclo- 87° C. yl propyl C46 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —C≡CH 1.48 min 575 pyrid-4- yl C47 3- —CF₃ H H F 1.30 min 603 trifluoro- methyl- pyrid-4- yl C48 pyrid-4- —CF₃ H H F 1.08 min 535 yl C49 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 1.47 min 611 6-propyl- pyrid-4- yl C50 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 1.39 min 597 6-ethyl- pyrid-4- yl C51 2,5- —CF₃ H H F 1.34 min 507/509 difluoro- pyrid-4- yl

EXAMPLE 22

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′-oxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (Compound D1 of Table D).

To a solution of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (2.4 g) (Example 3) in methanol (10 ml) was added aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30% by weight) (2.9 g) at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at 55° C. for 16 hours. The solution was concentrated to one third of its volume and the precipitate isolated by filtration and dried under high vacuum to afford the title compound as a white powder (1.5 g). M.p. 158-161° C.; MS (ES+) 585/587 (MH+); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.83 (m, 2H), 2.71 (m, 2H), 3.27-3.46 (m, 5H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.60 (m, 8H), 7.91 (dd, 1H), 8.02 (d, 1H), 8.05 (bs, 1H), 8.54 (d, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 22:

TABLE D Compounds of formula (Id) (Id)

Physical state/ HPLC MS Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) D1 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 158- 1.44 min 585/587 pyrid-4- 161° C. yl D2 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 198- 1.48 min 585/587 pyrid-4- 203° C. yl D3 2-fluoro- —CF₃ H H F 198- 1.45 min 569/571 pyrid-4- 200° C. yl D4 2,6- —CF₃ H H F 197- 1.54 min 619/621/ dichloro- 198° C. 623 pyrid-4- yl D5 2-chloro- —OCH₂CF₃ Cl H F 202- 1.45 min 649/651 pyrid-4- 206° C. yl D6 2-chloro- Br —CF₃ H F 190- 1.61 min 665/667/ pyrid-4- 191° C. 669 yl D7 2-chloro- Br F H F 174- 1.47 min 613/615 pyrid-4- 177° C. yl D8 2-chloro- Cl F H F 174- 1.44 min 569/571 pyrid-4- 178° C. yl D9 2,5- —CF₃ H H F 164- 1.52 min 619/621/ dichloro- 168° C. 623 pyrid-4- yl D10 2-fluoro- Cl Cl H F 177- 1.47 min 569/571 pyrid-4- 181° C. yl D11 2-chloro- Cl Cl H F 168- 1.52 min 599/601 6- 174° C. methyl- pyrid-4- yl D12 2-chloro- Cl —CF₃ H F 208- 1.53 min 619/621/ pyrid-4- 210° C. 623 yl D13 2-chloro- cyclo- H F 180- 1.44 min 557/559 pyrid-4- propyl 182° C. yl D14 2-chloro- cyclo- Cl H F 172- 1.54 min 591/593 pyrid-4- propyl 175° C. yl D15 2-chloro- —OCH₃ H H F 213- 1.43 min 547/549 pyrid-4- 219° C. yl D16 2-chloro- Cl Br H F 185° C. 1.49 min 631/633 pyrid-4- yl D17 2-chloro- Cl —CH₃ H F foam 1.43 min 565/567 pyrid-4- yl D18 2-chloro- Cl Cl Cl F 188- 1.53 min 621/623 pyrid-4- 191° C. yl D19 2-chloro- F —CF₃ H F foam 1.48 min 603/605 pyrid-4- yl D20 2-chloro- Cl Cl H —CF₃ 148- 1.61 min 637/639 pyrid-4- 151° C. yl D21 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H Cl 183- 1.53 min 601/603 pyrid-4- 186° C. yl D22 2- —CF₃ H H F foam 1.52 min 619/620 trifluoro- methyl- pyrid-4- yl D23 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H —OCH₃ 180- 1.42 min 597/599 pyrid-4- 182° C. yl D24 5-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 178- 1.46 min 603/605 2-fluoro- 180° C. pyrid-4- yl D25 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 173- 1.48 min 603/605 5-fluoro- 175° C. pyrid-4- yl D26 2-chloro- —OCHF₂ H H F 203° C. 1.43 min 583/585 pyrid-4- yl D27 2-chloro- —CF₃ H F F foam 1.47 min 603/605 pyrid-4- yl

EXAMPLE 23

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{3,4,5-trifluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound E1 of Table E).

The title compound was prepared from 2-bromo-3,4,5-trifluoroaniline according to the method described in Example 4.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 23:

TABLE E Compounds of formula (Ie) (Ie)

Physical Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ state/M.p. HPLC (RT) MS (ES+) E1 2-chloro- F F H F 61-64° C. 1.43 min 554/556 pyrid-4- yl E2 2-chloro- —CF₃ F H F 65-69° C. 1.54 min 604/606 pyrid-4- yl E3 2-chloro- Cl H H F 105-109° C. 1.39 min 552/554/ pyrid-4- 556 yl E4 2-chloro- H H H F 164-167° C. 1.41 min 518/520 pyrid-4- yl E5 2-chloro- Br H H F 194-198° C. 1.39 min 596/598/ pyrid-4- 600 yl E6 2-chloro- —CN H H F 125-129° C. 1.37 min 543/545 pyrid-4- yl E7 2-chloro- F H H F 92-95° C. 1.36 min 536/538 pyrid-4- yl E8 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 93-96° C. 1.44 min 586/588 pyrid-4- yl E9 2-chloro- cyclo- H F 124-128° C. 1.44 min 558/560 pyrid-4- propyl yl

EXAMPLE 24

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(4′-chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound F1 of Table F).

The title compound was obtained according to the method described in Example 3 using 2′,4′-dichloro-biphenyl-4-carbaldehyde instead of 4′-fluoro[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxaldehyde (Step E, Method B). 2′,4′-Dichloro-biphenyl-4-carbaldehyde was prepared by Suzuki coupling between 1-bromo-2,4-dichlorobenzene and 4-formylbenzeneboronic acid.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 24:

TABLE F Compounds of formula (If) (If)

Physical HPLC MS state/ Comp No A R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ R⁷ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) F1 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 1′-Cl Cl 129- 1.56 620/ chloro- 133° C. min 622 pyrid- 4-yl F2 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 1′-F F 152- 1.46 586/ chloro- 156° C. min 588 pyrid- 4-yl F3 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 1′- F 68- 1.49 582/ chloro- Me 72° C. min 584 pyrid- 4-yl F4 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 1′,4′- F 50- 1.46 604/ chloro- diF 54° C. min 606 pyrid- 4-yl F5 N 2- —CF₃ H 1-F — F 68- 1.45 587/ chloro- 71° C. min 589 pyrid- 4-yl F6 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′-F F 148- 1.43 587/ chloro- 153° C. min 589 pyrid- 4-yl F7 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′- F 73- 1.48 583/ chloro- Me 77° C. min 585 pyrid- 4-yl F8 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′-Cl Cl 89- 1.55 621/ chloro- 95° C. min 633 pyrid- 4-yl F9 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′,4′- F 71- 1.46 605/ chloro- diF 75° C. min 607 pyrid- 4-yl F10 N 2- —CF₃ H — 2′-F F 1.43 670 chloro- min pyrid- 4-yl F11 CH 2- —F H — 1′-F F 1.50 636 chloro- min pyrid- 4-yl F12 CH 2- —F H — 2′-F F 1.60 536 chloro- min pyrid- 4-yl F13 N 2- —Cl —Cl — 1′- F 122- 1.50 585/587 chloro- Me 127° C. min pyrid- 4-yl F14 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 2′,3′- H 142° C. 1.56 620- chloro- diCl min 622 pyrid- 4-yl F15 N 2- —CF₃ H — 2′,3′- H 82° C. 1.56 621/623 chloro- diCl min pyrid- 4-yl F16 CH 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F Cl 79- 1.53 620/ chloro- 81° C. min 622 pyrid- 4-yl F17 N 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F Cl 80- 1.49 621/ chloro- 81° C. min 623 pyrid- 4-yl F18 CH 2- —CF₃ F 2-F 1′-F Cl 79- 1.56 638/ chloro- 81° C. min 640 pyrid- 4-yl F19 CH 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F F 70- 1.46 604/ chloro- 72° C. min 606 pyrid- 4-yl F20 N 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F F 73- 1.43 605/ chloro- 74° C. min 607 pyrid- 4-yl F21 CH 2- —CF₃ F 2-F 1′-F F 81- 1.51 622/ chloro- 83° C. min 624 pyrid- 4-yl

EXAMPLE 25

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{3,4,5-trifluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide N-oxide (Compound G1 of Table G).

The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-N-{3,4,5-trifluoro-2-[1-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound E1 of Table E) as described in Example 2.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 25:

TABLE G Compounds of formula (Ig) (Ig)

Physical Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ state/M.p. HPLC (RT) MS (ES+) G1 2-chloro- F F H F 164-168° C. 1.46 min 570/572 pyrid-4- yl G2 2-chloro- —CF₃ F H F 187-191° C. 1.54 min 620/622 pyrid-4- yl G3 2-chloro- H H H F 203-207° C. 1.39 min 534/536 pyrid-4- yl G4 2-chloro- Cl H H F 188° C. 1.45 min 568/570/ pyrid-4- decompo- 572 yl sition G5 2-chloro- Br H H F 188° C. 1.47 min 612/614/ pyrid-4- decompo- 616 yl sition G6 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 185-190° C. 1.50 min 602/604 pyrid-4- yl G7 2-chloro- F H H F 185° C. 1.39 min 552/554 pyrid-4- decompo- yl sition G8 2-chloro- —CN H H F solid 1.38 min 559/561 pyrid-4- yl G9 2-chloro- cyclo- H H F 186- 1.53 min 574/576 pyrid-4- propyl 191 yl

EXAMPLE 26

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(4′-chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide N-oxide (Compound H1 of Table H).

The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-N-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(4′-chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide (Compound F1 of Table F) as described in Example 2.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 26:

TABLE H Compounds of formula (Ih) (Ih)

Physical Comp state/ HPLC MS No A R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁶ R⁷ R⁸ M.p. (RT) (ES+) H1 CH 2- —CF₃ H 1-F — F 185- 1.47 602/ chloro- 190° C. 604 pyrid- 4-yl H2 CH 2- —CF₃ H — 1′-F F 140- 1.49 602/ chloro- 145° C. 604 pyrid- 4-yl H3 N 2- —CF₃ H 1-F — F 172- 1.45 603/ chloro- 174° C. 605 pyrid- 4-yl H4 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′- F 192- 1.51 599/ chloro- Me 194° C. 601 pyrid- 4-yl H5 N 2- —CF₃ H — 1′,4′- F 220- 1.48 621/ chloro- diF 225° C. 623 pyrid- 4-yl H6 N 2- Cl Cl — 1′- F 174- 1.50 599/ chloro- Me 176° C. min 601 pyrid- 4-yl H7 CH 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F Cl 186- 1.54 636/ chloro- 188° C. min 638 pyrid- 4-yl H8 N 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F F 152- 1.48 621/ chloro- 155° C. min 623 pyrid- 4-yl H9 CH 2- —CF₃ F 2-F 1′-F F 167- 1.53 638/ chloro- 169° C. min 640 pyrid- 4-yl H10 CH 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F F 181- 1.47 620/ chloro- 183° C. min 622 pyrid- 4-yl H11 N 2- —CF₃ H 2-F 1′-F Cl 194- 1.52 637/ chloro- 196° C. min 639 pyrid- 4-yl H12 CH 2- —CF₃ F 2-F 1′-F Cl 182- 1.58 654/ chloro- 184° C. min 656 pyrid- 4-yl

EXAMPLE 27

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(4′-chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide N-oxide 3-hydroxypropyl sulfonate salt (Compound J1 of Table J).

The title compound was prepared from 2-chloro-N-{3-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(4′-chloro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-phenyl}-isonicotinamide N-oxide (Compound B6 of Table B) as described in Example 28.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 27:

TABLE J Compounds of formula (Ij) (Ij)

Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ HX M.p. J1 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F HO(CH₂)₃SO₃H 178- pyrid-4- 182° C. yl J2 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F H₃PO₄ 173- pyrid-4- 175° C. yl J3 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F CF₃COOH 158- pyrid-4- 161° C. yl J4 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F HCl 179- pyrid-4- 180° C. yl J5 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 4-CH₃—Ph—SO₃H 168- pyrid-4- 170° C. yl J6 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F CH₃SO₃H 105- pyrid-4- 107° C. yl J7 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F CH₃(CH₂)₃SO₃H — pyrid-4- yl

EXAMPLE 28

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′-oxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide 3-hydroxypropyl sulfonate salt (Compound K1 of Table K).

To a suspension of 2-chloro-N-[1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′-oxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (0.4 g, Compound D1 of Table D) in dichloromethane (12 ml) was added 3-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonic acid (0.14 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours at ambient temperature. Diethyl ether was added and the white solid isolated by filtration, washed with cold methanol and dried in high vacuum to afford the title compound (0.36 g).

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 28:

TABLE K Compounds of formula (Ik) (Ik)

Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ HX M.p. K1 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F HO(CH₂)₃SO₃H 225- pyrid-4- 230° C. yl K2 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F CH₃SO₃H 195- pyrid-4- 196° C. yl K3 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F CH₃CH₂SO₃H 222- pyrid-4- 224° C. yl K4 2-chloro- —CF₃ H H F 4-CH₃—Ph—SO₃H 256- pyrid-4- 257° C. yl

EXAMPLE 29

This example illustrates the preparation of 2-chloro-N-[5,6-dichloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′-oxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide hydrochloride (Compound M1 of Table M).

To a suspension 2-chloro-N-[5,6-dichloro-1′-(4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1′-oxy-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-hexahydro-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-3-yl]-isonicotinamide (0.15 g, Compound C2 of Table C) in dichloromethane (1 ml) was added concentrated hydrochloric acid (0.05 g). The precipitate was isolated by filtration and dried under high vacuum to yield the title compound.

The following compounds were prepared according to procedures analogous to the procedure described in Example 29:

TABLE M Compounds of formula (Im) (Im)

Comp No R¹ R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁸ HX M.p. M1 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —Cl —Cl H F HCl 240° C. M2 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —Cl —Cl H F 3-PhO—(CH₂)₂CO₂H 75-80° C. M3 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —Cl —Cl H F 2-Cl—Ph—CO₂H 195-200° C. M4 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —CF₃ H H F 4-CH₃—Ph—SO₃H 246-248° C. M5 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —CF₃ H H F CH₃SO₃H 274-275° C. M6 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —CF₃ H H F CH₃CH₂SO₃H 278-279° C. M7 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —CF₃ H H F CH₃(CH₂)₁₁CO₂H 130-132° C. M8 2-chloro-pyrid-4-yl —CF₃ H H F HO(CH₂)₃SO₃H 288-289° C.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

This Example illustrates the pesticidal/insecticidal properties of compounds of formula (I). The tests were performed as follows:

Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian Cotton Leafworm)

Cotton leaf discs were placed on agar in a 24-well microtiter plate and sprayed with test solutions at an application rate of 200 ppm. After drying, the leaf discs were infested with 5 L1 larvae. The samples were checked for mortality, feeding behavior, and growth regulation 3 days after treatment (DAT).

The following compounds gave at least 80% control of Spodoptera littoralis: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A19, A20, A21, A22, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A30, A31, A32, A33, A34, A35, A36, A37, A38, A39, A40, A41, A42, A43, A44, A45, A46, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18, B19, B20, B21, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B28, B29, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C28, C29, C30, C31, C32, C33, C34, C35, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25, D26, D27, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, F1, F2, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, J2, J3, J4, K1, K2, K3, K4, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8.

Heliothis virescens (Tobacco Budworm):

Eggs (0-24 h old) were placed in 24-well microtiter plate on artificial diet and treated with test solutions at an application rate of 200 ppm (concentration in well 18 ppm) by pipetting. After an incubation period of 4 days, samples were checked for egg mortality, larval mortality, and growth regulation.

The following compounds gave at least 80% control of Heliothis virescens: A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A19, A20, A21, A22, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A30, A31, A32, A33, A34, A35, A36, A37, A38, A39, A40, A41, A42, A43, A44, A45, A46, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18, B20, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B28, B29, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C28, C29, C30, C31, C32, C34, C35, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25, D26, D27, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F8, F9, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, J2, J3, J4, K1, K2, K3, K4, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8

Plutella xylostella (Diamond Back Moth):

24-well microtiter plate (MTP) with artificial diet was treated with test solutions at an application rate of 200 ppm (concentration in well 18 ppm) by pipetting. After drying, the MTP's were infested with L2 larvae (7-12 per well). After an incubation period of 6 days, samples were checked for larval mortality and growth regulation.

The following compounds gave at least 80% control of Plutella xylostella: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A19, A20, A22, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A30, A31, A32, A33, A34, A35, A36, A37, A38, A39, A40, A41, A42, A43, A44, A45, A46, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B16, B17, B18, B19, B20, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B28, B29, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C28, C29, C30, C31, C32, C33, C34, C35, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25, D26, D27, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, F1, F2, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, J1, J2, J3, J4, K1, K2, K3, K4, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8

Diabrotica Balteata (Corn Root Worm):

A 24-well microtiter plate (MTP) with artificial diet was treated with test solutions at an application rate of 200 ppm (concentration in well 18 ppm) by pipetting. After drying, the MTP's were infested with larvae (L2) (6-10 per well). After an incubation period of 5 days, samples were checked for larval mortality, and growth regulation.

The following compounds gave at least 80% control of Diabrotica balteata: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A18, A19, A20, A22, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A30, A31, A32, A33, A34, A35, A37, A38, A39, A40, A41, A42, A43, A44, A45, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18, B20, B21, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B29, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C28, C29, C30, C31, C32, C33, C34, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25, D26, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F8, F9, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, H1, H2, H3, J1, J2, J3, J4, K1, K2, K3, K4, M1, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8

Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito):

10-15 Aedes larvae (L2) together with a nutrition mixture are placed in 96-well microtiter plates. Test solutions at an application rate of 2 ppm were pipetted into the wells. 2 days later, insects were checked for mortality and growth inhibition.

The following compounds gave at least 80% control of Aedes aegypti: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D1. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein A is CR²; p is 0 or 1; R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₃alkyl or C₁-C₃haloalkyl; R² is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₃haloalkyl or C₁-C₃haloalkoxy; R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₈alkoxy, C₁-C₈haloalkoxy, C₁-C₈alkylthio or C₁-C₈haloalkylthio; R⁵ is hydrogen or halogen; each R⁶ and R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₁-C₈alkoxy or C₁-C₈haloalkoxy; m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; and R⁸ is cyano or C₁-C₆alkoxy; or a salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, difluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro or bromo.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein each R⁶ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein m is 0 or
 1. 8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein each R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.
 9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein n is 0 or
 1. 10. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁸ is cyano or methoxy.
 11. A method of combating and controlling insects which comprises applying to a pest, to a locus of a pest, or to a plant susceptible to attack by a pest an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I):

wherein A is CR² ; p is 0 or 1; R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₃alkyl or C₁-C₃haloalkyl; R² is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₃haloalkyl or C₁-C₃haloalkoxy; R³ and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₈alkoxy, C₁-C₈haloalkoxy, C₁-C₈alkylthio or C₁-C₈haloalkylthio; R⁵ is hydrogen or halogen; each R⁶ and R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₁-C₈alkoxy or C₁-C₈haloalkoxy; m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; and R⁸ is cyano or C₁-C₆alkoxy; or a salt thereof.
 12. An insecticidal composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim
 1. 13. The method according to claim 11 wherein R¹ is pyrid-4-yl optionally substituted by one or two substituents each independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, difluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl.
 14. The method according to claim 11 wherein R³ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆halo alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.
 15. The method according to claim 11 wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆haloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio or C₁-C₆haloalkylthio.
 16. The method according to claim 11 wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro or bromo.
 17. The method according to claim 11 wherein each R⁶ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.
 18. The method according to claim 11 wherein m is 0 or
 1. 19. The method according to claim 11 wherein each R⁷ is independently halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆alkoxy.
 20. The method according to claim 11 wherein n is 0 or
 1. 